The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations Inc. (CONFED) on Thursday, June 25, raised concerns over the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) response to the Red Scale Soft Insect (RSSI) infestation on Negros Island, stating that its status report offers no assurance that the situation is under control and that adequate measures are in place to prevent further damage.
In a statement released Thursday, June 25 CONFED called for a more effective anti-RSSI campaign, questioning both the accuracy of government data and the utilization of over ₱200 million to battle the infestation.
The SRA reported that approximately 76,607 hectares—representing about 32 percent of the sugarcane areas on Negros Island—are reportedly affected by RSSI. However, CONFED noted that SRA personnel have validated only 13,797 hectares, or roughly 5.7 percent of the reported total.
“The absence of a list of affected farms and farmers makes validation difficult, casting doubts on the accuracy of the numbers presented,” CONFED said, adding that while actual numbers still need to be verified, the infestation has visibly worsened.
₱200 MILLION BUDGET
CONFED questioned the efficacy of the ₱202 million allocated by the SRA in 2025 and 2026, asking what the massive spending has accomplished given the rising infestation.
It said the SRA’s available breakdown totaling ₱202 million shows:
- SIDA “Quick Response to Pest Outbreak” Project (insecticides): ₱4.6 million for Negros Occidental out of a total ₱6.47 million for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
- SRA 2025 Corporate Operating Budget (additional insecticide assistance): ₱9.25 million, of which ₱8.07 million went to Negros Occidental.
- SRA 2025 Corporate Operating Budget (Urea fertilizer distribution): ₱66.6 million.
- SRA 2026 Corporate Operating Budget (Urea fertilizer distribution for farmers affected by RSSI and other calamities): ₱47.23 million.
- Block Farm support program: 228 units of 4-in-1 knapsack sprayer and PPE for spraymen – ₱14.5 million.
- Corporate assets: Deployment of 4 units drone sprayer to assist in massive spraying on heavily infested areas (no amount presented).
- Emergency purchase of food packs: ₱4.5 million (in process) for 4,500 beneficiaries affected by fuel price increases and RSSI.
- 2026 Quick Response SIDA Fund for chemicals (under procurement): ₱8.0 million.
- 2026 Corporate Fund for additional fertilizer assistance: ₱49.996 million for Visayas and ₱2.9 million for Luzon/Mindanao.
Despite the SRA establishing an Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in 2025 and issuing Memorandum Circular No. 9 to regulate the transport of sugarcane planting materials, CONFED argued that a clear, province-wide plan remains absent.
In response to the SRA’s position that RSSI “is here to stay,” CONFED said that the industry needs a definitive containment strategy to minimize crop damage. The group stressed that the campaign must be led directly by the provincial government rather than agricultural agencies alone.
SIX RECOMMENDATIONS
To scale up the response, CONFED proposed six recommendations:
- An Expanded Task Force: The issuance of an Executive Order by the Provincial Governor to create an expanded Provincial RSSI Task Force, led by a full-time Action Officer and anchored on a continuing state of calamity.
- A Science-Based Action Plan: The immediate convening of the task force to draft a Work and Financial Plan modeled after frameworks previously submitted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and Philsurin.
- Real-Time Mapping: The implementation of immediate surveillance and mapping operations to track the real-time spread of the pest.
- Biocontrol Assessment: Determinations on the necessary volume of biological control agents, manpower, and logistics required.
- Counterpart Funding: Securing counterpart funding arrangements between partner agencies and industry stakeholders.
- Mass Mobilization: A coordinated, province-wide mobilization of all sugar industry stakeholders for simultaneous pest control.
CONFED thanked Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson for opening discussions toward an intensified provincial campaign.
“Working in harmony as one community, we know we can meet this crisis head-on and protect the livelihoods of our farmers and the economic lifeblood of our beloved province,” CONFED said.*
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